<Begin Segment 33>

AI: Well, I just had a couple more questions, and one is going back toward, to your family life, and as you were raising your own three children, I'm wondering, did you and your wife ever talk about your experiences at Minidoka or during the war?

RC: Sure, oh yes.

AI: What did you tell them?

RC: We told them the whole thing. Yeah. And when, for instance, when I wrote the book for the University of -- UC Davis and for Sacramento State with Marion, my son read, read the documents as I wrote them, I dictated, it was a conversation like this, and it was recorded. And the tapes were sent back to Harvard for somebody to transcribe (but) he was too busy to transcribe so he sent them back. And so I said to the man who was in charge of my book, (...) "Well, I can transcribe them. You probably... you wanted me to edit anyway, so I could do both." So I spent about three weeks transcribing and writing it out and passed it on, and it was accepted. And Marion, tickles me, she thinks it's the best book of all of them. Why, I don't know. [Laughs] But she was very proud of my book and has been very considerate of it, of me for it.

AI: Well, this was done in 1991, or 1993?

RC: (Yes).

AI: 1993, I believe, by the California State library and the Florin chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.

RC: Yeah, yeah. If you're ever in Sacramento, you should go to the Sacramento State University library and see the row of books and see some of the treasures that are on display.

AI: Well, one thing that still concerns me, is that even though you have given your oral history two times now, and others have done so, and it's been recorded, there are still so many people who are unaware that, about this chapter of history, this United States history. Do you still run into people who, perhaps don't believe that such a place as Minidoka existed?

RC: You know, I think if you would investigate the number of videos that have been made for... what do they call that television? It isn't, it isn't television for profit, it's, what are these special? We have a station in Sacramento for --

AI: Oh, the cable programs?

RC: (...) They're not a privately-owned television channel. We have one in Sacramento that covers the whole Sacramento area. In the San Francisco area there's one there, and one in Oakland and San Jose and San Mateo. And they are making tapes, interviewing people. And they are being shown on these, these channels. And they are, they are producing some of the most wonderful history videos. And I think people are getting their eyes opened. Because there are a lot of people that get tired of watching regular channels and turn to the -- I can't say the name of the channel that they are. But they're public, public channels, really, is probably what they are. And they're supported by the public. And they're doing a wonderful job. I watch the Sacramento one very frequently. We have Channel 6 and Channel 7 that are doing a wonderful job.

AI: That's great to hear.

RC: (Yes).

AI: Well, now, we've covered a huge amount of, of ground here, and the years, and the experiences that you've shared. I'm wondering, looking back if there's any other comment that you would like to make, anything else that you'd like to, to talk about?

RC: Just one statement. I wouldn't have lived my life any other way. Just like that. [Laughs]

AI: Well, thank you.

RC: I have had a good life.

AI: Thank you, Mr. --

RC: I had a lot of experiences, but, you know, it was a good life. Wonderful family, made a lot of friends, and I've always felt welcome in situations like this. Get a big bear hug. It's great, and I thank you.

AI: Thank you, Mr. Coombs.

<End Segment 33> - Copyright © 2003 Densho. All Rights Reserved.